musical professor, calling the whole
affair off. He did it because he wasn't invited to take part."

"How did you learn this?"

"I heard it the night I went to the Hall to get our baggage. When I
was in hiding, waiting for a chance to go to the dormitory, I saw Nat
Poole come in, along with that new student, Will Fasey. They had been
out somewhere having a good time, and Nat was telling Fasey how he had
sent the telephone messages and queered the feast. I would have
pitched into him then and there only I didn't dare expose myself,"
went on the stout youth.

"But he'll get what is coming to him from me, when I get back to the
school," put in Phil. "It was a contemptible piece of business, and I
want everybody to know it. Besides, he has got to pay for what I lost
by the transaction."

"If it wasn't for that, maybe we wouldn't have been suspected of
blowing up the hotel," said Ben. "Then you really think the wild man
did it, Dave?"

"Yes."

"But what of that letter Jason Sparr got, saying our crowd was
guilty?"

"I don't know what to make of that, Ben. I don't think the wild man
could write that."

"Would Nat Poole be bad enough to do it?"

"Maybe. But it was an awful thing to do. I didn't think Nat would be
as mean as that."

The boys had dried and pressed their clothing as best they could, and
put on clean collars, cuffs, and neckties, and therefore looked quite
presentable once more.

"As soon as we get to town we can get cleaned up a little better,"
said Dave. "So we won't look quite like tramps when we return to the
Hall."

"I hate to face Doctor Clay," remarked Phil, dubiously.

"So do I," added Ben and Buster.

"Well, it has got to be done," answered Dave. "So make the best of it.
The doctor understands the situation, so I don't think he'll be hard
on you."

"I hope they have got the wild man, and that they prove he blew up the
hotel," said Phil, wistfully. "That is the only thing that will
really clear us."

"Oh, they are bound to get the wild man sooner or later," answered
Dave, hopefully.

It was decided to take the one afternoon train from Camptown Falls,
and at the proper time the boys walked to the little depot, Dave with
his suit-case, and the others with some hand baggage. Instructions
were left with Jerry Blutt regarding the other baggage, and the man
was paid for his services. He said he was glad that nobody had been
drowned in the flood, and added that he was going up to the
b